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Economy and work in Highland

Council area

North west Scotland. 237,260 people (mid-2025 estimate) in 26,159 square kilometres, the 2nd most sparsely populated council in the UK.

4 layers about economy and work for Highland, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.

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Claimants by neighbourhood

Claimant count (Nomis) · August 2026

Under 1070 or more

Highland’s 327 neighbourhoods range from 0 to 65.

Median full-time pay

CouncilGreat Britain only
£39,740
ONS earnings survey · 2025

Full-time workers living in Highland earned a median of £39,740 in 2025.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Median full-time pay: Highland among every council348 areas from £29,805 to £57,396. The middle area is £38,490. Highland is £39,740.

People claiming out-of-work benefits

Council
3,230
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Highland, 3,230 people were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

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People claiming out-of-work benefits: Highland among every council361 areas from 20 to 77,930. The middle area is 2,690. Highland is 3,230.

Claimant rate

Council
2.3%
ONS via Nomis · Aug 2026

In Highland, 2.3% of residents aged 16 to 64 were claiming out-of-work benefits in August 2026.

For the UK as a whole, the figure was 3.9%.

Against Scotland
28% lower3.2%
Against the UK
41% lower3.9%
Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Claimant rate: Highland among every council361 areas from 1.1% to 10.1%. The middle area is 3.2%. Highland is 2.3%.

Employment rate

CouncilGreat Britain only
72.6%
ONS population survey · Mar 2026

72.6% of people aged 16 to 64 in Highland were in work in the year to March 2026.

Highland is joint 83rd lowest of 348 for employment rate.

Open in mapSource and methodEvery council ranked
Employment rate: Highland among every council348 areas from 59.7% to 91.4%. The middle area is 76.3%. Highland is 72.6%.